Really great advice from our own Allen Klein!

Never Leave Home Without It...Your Sense of Humor, That Is

10 Tips to Lighten Up Holiday Hassles

The holidays are filled with many Maalox moments—over-crowded stores, airport/ highway travel, last minute shopping, and not enough time to get it all done. While these, and other annoyances, are ripe for stress, they are also opportunities to test your sense of humor and turn these Maalox moments into more mirthful ones.

Below are ten things you can do to add more joy to this joyous season.

1- Carry some small reminder around with you to remember to lighten up. Some bubbles perhaps? A red clown nose? A photo of your playful child or pet?

2- Wrap your gifts in the Sunday newspaper funnies. They are colorful, fun, and could save you a bundle of money on expensive gift-wrapping paper.

3- Try some random acts of silliness. For example:

-Wear mismatched gloves or socks… on purpose!

-Page yourself over the intercom!

-If and when a store clerk, restaurant server or flight attendant asks matter-of-factly "How are you today?" try replies such as, "Well medicated. And you?"

4- Have some funny signs around your office or home to remind you to lighten up. For example:

-Never wrestle with a pig - you both get dirty and the pig likes it.

-You don't have to be crazy to work here…but it sure helps!

-If we're closed, just slide the money under the door!

Or, put a sign on your bathroom mirror which reads, “This person is not to be taken seriously.”

5- Pop goes your stress. Save the bubble wrap you get when buying fragile items. Pop it with your fingers, knees and toes! Sit on it. Dance on it. Pop it with young children.

6- Remind yourself what is really important in life. So what if someone doesn’t get a gift before Christmas? It might be even more special after Christmas when it’s not competing with all the other gifts.

7- Let a smile be your umbrella. This simple choice is yours. You can frown and be miserable or you can wear a smile and watch it rub off on others.

8- Go see a funny holiday movie or live show. There are many choices this time of year.

9- Focus on the positive. Write down all the great things you love about the holidays. Keep the list handy when annoyances arise. And share them with others. You will probably hear something uplifting that you forgot to put on your list.

10- Take a tour of downtown department store windows. In bigger cities, they are always fanciful, fun, and often a magical holiday experience.

Finally, to get you started on the right track…

A nun in a convent goes up to the Mother Superior. “Mother Superior, we have a case of syphilis in the Rectory!”

The Mother Superior replies, “Thank goodness! I’ve gotten tired of the Merlot.”

Happy holiday!

>>>

Allen Klein is the world’s only “Jollytologist”, a professional speaker, and author of 17 books including The Healing Power of Humor, Change Your Life!: A Little Book of Big Ideas, and Learning to Laugh When You Feel Like Crying. www.allenklein.com

I am filled with gratitude today

Studies Show Living Life with Appreciation Leads to Greater Happiness November 2011 Since its publication Living Life As A Thank You has been a touchstone for so many people. Authors Lesowitz and Sammons received hundreds of thank you notes from readers whose lives this book has touched and helped. We at Viva Editions remember that this important book generated the sparks that led to two important Viva titles that have also gone on to provide succor and comfort to many, many people. The feedback from Living Life As A Thank You made it clear that readers were hungry for practices and encouraging advice for self-transformation and personal growth. Sammons and Lesowitz then created The Gratitude Power Workbook, providing tried and true thank you exercises and practices along with tools to help you create your own rituals and techniques to cultivate gratitude. When Nina and Mary Beth were writing Living Life As A Thank You, they knew Alan had a powerful recovery story that hinged on his daily expressions of gratitude and his ongoing commitment to service, helping others. He contributed a short essay to the book—leading to repeated requests for Alan to tell his whole story. This month we're very proud to publish Drunken Angel, Alan Kaufman's searing memoir of the harrowing journey he took from homeless drunk to award-winning poet, author, editor and writing teacher, one of the more acclaimed of his day. These three books remind us all to take time to savor the relationships, people and events that feed our souls. Happy Thanksgiving and thank you thank you for your support. More · Buy Living Life as a Thank You The Transformative Power of Daily Gratitude by Nina Lesowitz and Mary Beth Sammons Discover the positive power of gratitude. Living as if each day is a thank you can help transform fear into courage, anger into forgiveness, and isolation into belonging. Authors Nina Lesowitz and Mary Beth Sammons present a simple yet comprehensive approach for incorporating gratitude into one's life and reaping its many benefits. The book is divided into ten chapters, including "Ways to Stay Thankful in Difficult Times," "Gratitude as a Spiritual Practice," and "Putting Gratitude into Action." Each chapter includes stories of individuals whose lives have been transformed by thankfulness, motivational quotes and blessings, and suggested gratitude practices. Whatever is given—even a challenging moment—is a gift. With this book, you will be able to feel more connected to the flow of life and less alone in your struggles and fears. _________________________________________________________________ Living Life As A Thank You was recently featured by The Canadian Jewish News, and The Gratitude Power Workbook joined it in an article called, " Your Positive Outlook Determines Where Your Life is Heading." You can meet Alan Kaufman and hear him read from Drunken Angel: Tonight at 7:00 Book Soup in Los Angeles December 1 The Beat Museum in San Francisco December 2 The Make Out Room in San Francisco January 17 St. Mark's Bookshop in New York City __________________________________________________________________ More · Buy The Gratitude Power Workbook Transform Fear into Courage, Anger into Forgiveness, Isolation into Belonging by Nina Lesowitz and Mary Beth Sammons An interactive guide to having a fuller life through active gratitude No matter where you are on your life's journey, you can open The Gratitude Power Workbook to find inspiration for change. By taking just five minutes a day with the stories, practices, meditations, exercises, and questions offered here, you'll find yourself moving towards a happier and more fulfilling life. Like building a spiritual muscle, exercising gratitude each day will strengthen your spirit, quiet your mind, and open your heart. The Gratitude Power Workbook can be your soul's daily companion—and one of the most important books you'll ever own. More · Buy Drunken Angel by Alan Kaufman A Heartbreakingly Honest Story of Triumph Over Addiction Son of a French Holocaust survivor, Alan Kaufman drank to fill the huge hole in his heart, wrecking himself and everyone in his path. InDrunken Angel, the poet and critically acclaimed writer recounts with unvarnished honesty the story of the alcoholism that took him to the brink of death, the PTSD that drove him to the edge of madness, and the love that brought him back. With his estranged daughter as inspiration and two unforgettable mentors for support, Kaufman got into recovery at age 37, taking full responsibility for nearly destroying himself, his work and so many loved ones along the way. Kaufman minces no words as he looks back on a life pickled in self-pity, self-loathing and guilt, delivering a lacerating, cautionary tale of a life wasted and reclaimed.

Great gifts from the kitchen!

Our Ten Favorite Homemade Holiday Food Gifts (That Aren’t Cookies)
Posted on November 14, 2011 by Juliana


Italian Breadsticks (#8), Refrigerator Pickles (#2), and Spiced Pecans (#10)

Every year around this time I start thinking about the perfect gourmet gifts I’m going to craft with love and care, wrap with Martha Stewart-like flair, and distribute to friends and family who will marvel at my elegance and hospitality. But it never happens. Instead, I wind up nibbling on my friend Hilary’s homemade, raffia-tied marshmallows while staring at her rosemary simple syrup in a glass carafe with handmade label—and thinking about how maybe next year I’ll start planning a little earlier.

Now it’s next year! And with the best of intentions, I’ve started my planning by searching the internet for the most interesting, delicious, easy, do-it-yourself gourmet gift ideas I could find. Will I actually make any of these when mid-December rolls around? I don’t know! (Maybe I’ll just send this list to Hilary and then mind-control her into putting my name on the manually letterpressed gift tags that, naturally, she’s made from her own rose-petal paper slurry.) But let’s not worry about that. Just check out these great gift ideas I probably won’t make!

In no significant order:

1. Rosemary & Garlic Dipping Oil
Looking for creative host/hostess gifts for the holiday season? Bring a loaf of bread and a bottle of your own homemade rosemary and garlic dipping oil to this year’s festivities.

2. Refrigerator Pickles
You don’t need to fuss with traditional canning techniques or supplies to enjoy incredibly delicious homemade pickled vegetables. Our very own Pickled Cauliflower, Carrots, and Red Bell Peppers are beautiful, easy to make, and last in the fridge for a couple of weeks.

3. Sriracha
Sriracha is a Southeast Asian hot sauce made of chili peppers, vinegar, garlic, sugar, and salt. (Recognize these?) Your homemade sriracha can be used as a dipping sauce, stirred into Asian noodle soups, dolloped onto seafood dishes—even drizzled over scrambled eggs or spread onto sandwiches.

4. Flavored Simple Syrup
Fill glass bottles with colorful, homemade flavored simple syrup that can be used to make holiday cocktails. Include recipe ideas for your simple syrup, like this one for a Rosemary Greyhound Martini, or one of my personal favorites, a Basil Gimlet.

5. Flavored Salts
Making your own flavored salts is easy, inexpensive, and will cause your friends to think you’re a very fancy foodie. They look beautiful, too. Check out these mouthwatering ideas that include flavorings like lemongrass, wasabi, and tangerine—as well as these intriguing recipes for dried mushroom and sun-dried tomato salts.

6. Harissa
Harissa is a North African condiment made of chili peppers, garlic, and spices (regional versions vary) traditionally used to flavor stews, vegetables, and couscous. Provide some recipes that use harissa, including our Warm Moroccan Beet and Onion Salad, along with your homemade handiwork.

7. Infused Vinegars
Fill some inexpensive glass jars or small carafes with gorgeous, tasty infused vinegars. For example, try Ghost Chili or Cumin-Spiced vinegars; your favorite fresh herb vinegars; Rosemary-Lemon vinegar; or Emeril Lagasse’s Basil Vinegar.

8. Grissini (Italian Breadsticks)
These lovely looking breadsticks, personalized with whatever seasonings you’re in the mood for, can be made on one big Project Day and then frozen until you’re ready to hand them out to this coworker or that hostess. Tell them to re-warm in the oven before eating.

9. Kahlua
Making your own Kahlua (brand name of the Mexican coffee-flavored liqueur) looks really easy. Print out a few wintery drink recipes like Kahlua-Cardamom Cappuccino, Kahlua egg nog or Caramel Hot Cocoa to include along with your gift.

10. Spiced Pecans (or other nuts)
A jar of these sweet and savory spiced pecans will thrill your friends and dinner party hosts. And/or get yourself a copy of The Lazy Gourmet and try our own Orange-Spiced Pecans, p.34!

In a related shameless plug: TLG makes the perfect holiday gift for your foodie friends as well as those who wish they could cook like foodies but aren’t sure how. Happy holidays, everyone!

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This entry was posted in Tips and tagged basil gimlet, caramel hot cocoa, DIY, do-it-yourself, easy, flavored salts, flavored simple syrup, food, gourmet gifts, Grissini, harissa, holiday, homemade, Italian Breadsticks, Kahlua, kahlua egg nog, Kahlua-cardamom cappuccino, lemongrass, orange-spiced pecans, pickled cauliflower carrots and red bell peppers, refrigerator pickles, rosemary & garlic dipping oil, rosemary greyhound martini, spiced nuts, spiced pecans, sriracha, tangerine, top ten, wasabi. Bookmark the permalink.
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Professor of Sensual Arts Holding Office Hours!

Hi Lovely,

Just a reminder that will be in my virtual office tomorrow, Tuesday, November 15th from 8:00-9:30 PM EST. Feel free drop in anytime with any questions you might have about your love, sensuality, and sex. Need a few ideas on how to get out of your social or romantic rut and move forward? Looking for a new flirt move? A tip on how to rev up your sex life? Are you reading The Power of Wow: A Guide to Unleashing the Confident, Sexy You and have questions about how to best utilize the information? Log in and let's chat. My office hours are complimentary and confidential. You can sign on with any name you like, and ask away. You'll also have a chance to win a signed copy of Can't Help The Way That I Feel.

Here's how to sign in:
Log on to stilettou.com (if you have a problem logging in, it could be your browser, try internet explorer). Click on the chat available button in the upper right corner. Sign in (Marilyn Monroe, Josephine Baker, use any name you like to protect your confidentiality), and then join the conversation!

Hope to hear from you!

Lori

Making the World A Lovelier Place One Sexy Woman at a Time
www.stilettou.com
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happy 11/11/11! Get Inspired!

Rise to the Occasion of Your Life
Join the Inspiration Nation
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Susyn is at the Ananda Yoga & Wellness Center, 20 Hampton Road, Southhampton, New York
Hear her 11/14 Empower Radio at 12:00pm ET, 11/16 Leading Edge Parenting at 1:00pm PT,11/30 Walking with Spirit at 5PM PT and 12/1 In The Spirit Radio at 1:00pm ET

Experience spiritual teacher and blogger Susyn Reeve, both in person and on the radio. Keep up with the latest during the Inspiration Nation Tour and connect directly with Susyn!
“Through a duet of voices that echo a refreshing call to rebalance our lives, Reeve and Breiner offer a message of hope that is both timely and timeless: ‘Now is the time, because now is the time you are alive. Now is the time you have this precious gift of life on Earth. Now is the time, as you declare and embody your inspired life vision that you open the door to Heaven on Earth.’”— Foreword Reviews

Viva Editions

Get inspired on 11/11/11! Join "Inspiration Nation!"

Welcome to our November newsletter. We have been very busy this past month with book signings, radio interviews and getting ready to launch Inspiration Nation and our our best-seller campaign for our new book, The Inspired LIfe: Unleashing Your Mind's Capacity for Joy.

While we have decades of experience coaching clients, facilitating workshops and writing about healthy self esteem, as we promote our new book, we have been given the opportunity to expand our capacity to confidently step into the world. We are continually reminded that nourishing confidence, healthy self esteem and our inspired life visions is a journey requiring nourishment and exercise on a daily basis.

This month we share how to step into your inspired life vision with articles, audios and a very special offer of Bonus Gifts from world renowned experts to support you in living your inspired life.

And in this month of Thanksgiving in the US we send a special thank you to those of you who have written to us about how the information on our site has helped and inspired you. Our articles, lesson plan and activities are now being used in schools, mental health centers, prisons and is being cited in research projects in Universities. Your support of our work motivates and inspires us to create more.

Keep your emails coming.

What's New at Self Esteem Experts

We are excited about two new articles we've written this month and a conversation between Susyn and Chizoma Cluff of Esteem Yourself. Apply the information to embody your Inspired Life Vision.
What is Inspiration? - Many people ask us what is inspiration? How do you define it? To us inspiration is doing what you love. It is unleashing the power of your mind to the vast creative potential alive in each one of us. (read more...)
How to Inspire Yourself - What is an Inspired Life? To answer this question it's helpful to be clear about the word inspire, which comes form the Latin, inspirare, to breathe into and to be imbued with spirit. An inspired life is a life rooted in your passion, your gifts, talents, skills and abilities. It is a life that is aligned with your vision - generated from the inside out. (read more...)
Say, YES, to Your Inspired Life - a conversation with Susyn Reeve and Chizoma of Esteem Yourself. (listen now...)
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Join Inspiration Nation

Tomorrow 11.11.11 marks an activation in the evolution of consciousness to a more peaceful, cooperative and loving way of being.

To support this evolution we are launching Inspiration Nation tomorrow and invite you to become a "citizen" reflecting your commitment to live your Inspired Life Vision.

Here's how it works:
on 11.11.11 purchase a copy of The Inspired Life
After you purchase the book, go to our Bonus Page
Type in your Amazon.con order #
You will then have access to all the Bonus Gifts
Download as many gifts as you are interested in
Beginning in January 2012 we will be offering - daily inspiration, teleclasses, workshops and a mentoring program to support you in living your Inspired Life Vision.
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Susyn's Inspired Life Blog - For those of you who are and have been fans of Susyn's Daily Inspiration Message, Susyn's Blog is an expansion of those messages - filled with Inspired Life Practices, Interviews and Resources.

Subscribe to the Inspired Life Blog Today and be the first to receive an excerpt from our new book, The Inspired Life.
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Thank you for your support of Self Esteem Experts since we launched in 2009. We are committed to providing you with the most up-to-date information, inspiration and proven exercises to boost your self esteem, improve your confidence and live your best life.

We encourage you to email us with your questions and topic suggestions so we can offer you the information and exercises that are of most value to you.

In celebration of your ever evolving self esteem,
Susyn Reeve & Joan Breiner

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